In Stimulus Bill, US Funds for Schools Double
Christian Science Monitor, MA, February 5, 2009
The economic stimulus bills before Congress contain a $140 billion boost for education – and most of it would be used to more than double federal spending on America’s public schools over the next two years.

On Uncle Sam’s Role in Public Schools, Republicans Have It Backward
Christian Science Monitor, MA, February 5, 2009
Hey, look out for the Big Bad Federal Government! It’s coming soon, to build a school near you. That’s what Republicans are saying about President Obama’s stimulus plan, which includes $20 billion for school building and renovation.

Blacks Less Likely to Take A.P. Exam
New York Times, NY, February 5, 2009
More than 15 percent of the three million students who graduated from public high schools last year passed at least one Advanced Placement exam, the College Board said Wednesday, but African-American students were still far less likely to have passed, or to even have taken, an A.P. exam than white, Hispanic or Asian students

Rendell: Boost School Funding, Consolidate
Philadelphia Inquirer, PA, February 5, 2009
Gov. Rendell yesterday proposed giving more money to schools and asked the legislature to approve a drastic plan that would cut the number of districts statewide by 80 percent.

City District Recommends Against 2 New Charter Schools
Pittsburgh Post Gazette, PA, February 4, 2009
Two proposed charter schools are getting poor reviews from the Pittsburgh Public Schools. Citing academic shortfalls and other concerns, district administrators last night recommended that the city school board reject proposals for the Quest International Charter School and the Community Service Leadership Development Charter School.

Charter Schools Could Lose Millions
Cincinnati Enquirer, OH, February 5, 2009
Ohio’s charter schools would lose more than $100 million in state funding next year under Gov. Ted Strickland’s proposed budget.

Beshear Calls For Review Of Education Reforms
Lexington Herald Leader, KY, February 4, 2009
Broaching an especially touchy subject in Kentucky, Gov. Steve Beshear called Wednesday for "a thorough review" of aging education reforms that brought landmark changes to schools in the state.

Charter Schools May Be Saved
News & Observer, NC, February 5, 2009
Two Raleigh charter schools may be saved from closure after public relations campaigns and promises to improve.

Pastorek Wants to Rein in School Boards
Times Picayune, LA, February 4, 2009
Proclaiming Louisiana’s school board system "screwed up," state Superintendent of Education Paul Pastorek is pushing a string of new regulations for board members: removing them from hiring decisions, strengthening the qualifications needed to become a board member and paying them less for their service.

Catholic School Closings A Bad Sign
Sun Sentinel, FL, February 5, 2009
For South Floridians looking to educate their children outside the public school system, the choices are dwindling. Six Catholic schools are closing, and the city-operated charter school system in Pembroke Pines is struggling to survive.

Charter School Scrutiny Bill Passes First Senate Panel
News Service of Florida, FL, February 4, 2009
A measure to require greater accountability from charter schools began its legislative journey on Wednesday with the bill’s sponsor hoping he can finally convince colleagues in the House to go along.

A Challenge to Charter Schools
Boston Globe, MA, February 5, 2009
GOVERNOR Patrick finally stopped fraternizing with charter school detractors last week and put a solid idea on the table: Raise the cap on charter schools, provided they do more for the hardest-to-educate students in poor school districts.

No Support for Charter School
WETM-TV, NY, February 4 , 2009
Bryant said the most recent application hasn’t changed much. He feels its mission doesn’t add anything different than what the district is already providing students.

A Charter for Failure
Forward, NY, February 4, 2009
But Steinhardt’s backing for the establishment of a Hebrew-language charter school in Brooklyn and for a national support center to assist in the founding of similar schools around the country should not be greeted with similar hosannas.

Year-old Online Charter School A Growing Success
Nashua Telegraph, NH, February 5, 2009
Virtual Learning Academy Charter School opened in January 2008 with just under 200 students taking about 450 courses. A year later, the school has grown to approximately 1,500 students taking 3,800 courses.

Granholm Says Next Detroit Mayor Should Control Schools
Detroit Free Press, MI, February 4, 2009
For the first time, Gov. Jennifer Granholm declared her interest today in seeing the next mayor of Detroit take a "strong hand" in controlling and reshaping the city’s scandal-ridden school system.

For Now, Q Comp Gets An Incomplete
Minneapolis Star Tribune, MN, February 4, 2009
It hasn’t been a good week for Q Comp, but the important Minnesota education initiative still holds promise.

Voucher Lobbyists Stick To Low Road
Orangeburg Times Democrat, SC, February 5, 2009
In a recent opinion article published in The Times and Democrat, South Carolinians for Responsible Government continued its practice of attacking public schools with a combination of misleading statements and outright falsehoods.